Relief for automakers as Centre proposes easy easing emission compliance testing regime

NEW DELHI: In a move aimed at reducing the compliance burden and improving ease of doing business for vehicle manufacturers, the road transport ministry has proposed changes to the conformity of production (CoP) regime for emission compliance for new and existing vehicle models.Under the draft proposal, the CoP test for emission compliance of new models of passenger cars and two-wheelers will be conducted annually for the first three years after type approval and thereafter once every three years. For larger passenger vehicles, goods vehicles and heavy commercial vehicles, the CoP test will continue to be conducted annually.For existing models, the testing frequency will be reduced to once every three years for two-wheelers, passenger cars, larger passenger vehicles, goods vehicles and heavy commercial vehicles.At present, the CoP test for all passenger car models is conducted annually, while for two-wheelers—which are produced in much larger volumes—the testing frequency ranges from once every three months to once a year, depending on production volume.CoP is a regulatory verification process that ensures mass-produced vehicles continue to conform to their original type-approval specifications.“The proposed policy delinks the CoP testing frequency from the volume of vehicles produced or imported. Manufacturers and importers will need to strengthen their quality control systems and ensure continued compliance with the norms, as any defect or deviation detected after three years could expose them to the risk of recalling a large number of vehicles, particularly two-wheelers,” an official said.Under the CoP regime, testing agencies randomly pick vehicles from assembly lines, dealerships or the open market for emission compliance tests, with the entire cost of testing being borne by vehicle manufacturers.Get the latest India News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.